Bank



June 19, 1962 K. H. KRUEGER BANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 14, 1960 m m m m BYM ATTORNEY.

June 19, 1962 K. H. KRUEGER BANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 14. 1960 llllll r H ma N u R 7 N 0 3 E T Z V. 5/ w m h w 4 a: W

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4 a a L\ K P in 4 4 4 o 2 8 4 l 2 y w) x a 7 3,039,674 BANK Kenneth H. Krueger, Leawood, Kans., assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation of Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 14,731 Claims. (Cl. 229-68) This invention relates to an envelope type of structure adapted for use as a coin bank, and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character that is readily produced inexpensively and in large quantities on envelope making machinery.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a normally flat coin bank from a single blank, folded and gummed in fiat condition and having easel portions folded over each other; to provide a coin bank with an easel that is easily erected from folded condition and the easel portion readily connected together for supporting the bank in upright position even while the coin compartment is in fiat condition and without any coins therein; to provide an envelope type of bank wherein the coin container is adapted for expansion to facilitate insertion of coins; and to provide a desired coin capacity.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an envelope coin blank wherein the easel portions are provided with a quick opening seal for securing the easel portions in folded position so that the device can be sent through the mails in the manner of an envelope, and to provide a bank of this character adapted to be constructed of relatively light weight paper stock and yet provide a substantially rigid self supporting structure when in use.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a coin bank constructed in accordance with the present invention, the bank being shown in flat condition with the flap portion forming the prop of the easel in turned up position to expose the flap portion that forms the brace portion of the easel and to illustrate the quick opening seal whereby the bank is better adapted to be sent through the mails, and the sealing gum whereby the brace portion is adapted to be sealed to the prop portion when setting up the easel.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bank with the brace and prop flap portions of the easel being moved toward easelforming position, and with parts of the body of the coin container portion of the bank being broken away to better illustrate the construction thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the bank in folded and flat condition.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section through one side of the folded bank on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a similar section on the line 5--'5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the bank with the prop and brace flaps in sealed-together condition for forming the easel.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the blank from which the bank is formed, partly folded.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank prior to folding thereof and showing the position of the gnmmed areas thereon.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a bank constructed in accordance with the present invention, and which includes a substantially rectan gular front panel or wall 2 and a similarly shaped back panel or wall 3, interconnected at the sides by expandable side walls 4-5 and :at the top and bottom by folds 67 to provide a coin compartment 8 therebetween. The front panel 2 has a coin slot 9 through which coins are inserted into the compartment 8. The bank is supported in up- 3,33%,674 Patented June 19, 1962 rig-ht position by an easel 10 consisting of a prop element 11 and a brace element 12. The prop element 11 is sealed along the upper portion to the back panel at a point spaced below the top fold 6 and carries. a gum stripe 13 along the lower marginal edge thereof. The brace element 12 is sealed along the lower portion of the back panel at a point above the bottom fold 7 and carries a flap 14 adapted to be sealed by the gum 13 to the prop element.

When the bank is in flat condition, the brace element 12 is folded flatly against the back panel 3 and the prop element 11 is folded flatly thereover, as best shown in FIG. 3.

If the bank is to be of a type for transmission through the mails in he manner of an envelope, the gum 13 may be divided transversely into two sections 15 (FIGS. 1 and 8) which extend inwardly from the side edges and terminate short of each other to provide an area 16 havingv a small adhesive spot 17 that is adapted to be sealed to a restricted area 18 on a portion of the brace element 12, the restricted area being defined by a surrounding gum repellent as indicated at 19. In this type of bank, the upper right hand corner of the prop element 11 may constitute the postage area 20 (FIG. 1), and the address to which the bank is mailed may be applied to the outer face of the prop element.

If the bank is to be supplied directly to the user, the gum spot 17 and the gum repellent area 19' are omitted, in which case the gum stripe 13 would preferably extend across the entire width of the prop element.

The side Walls 4-5 constitute parallel sections 21 and 22, respectively connected with the sides of the front and back panels 2 and 3 by folds 23 and 24, so that they extend inwardly between the front and back panels. The sections 21 and 22 are connected together along their inner portions by a reverse fold 25. The sections comprising the side walls extend the full height of the front panel, and the lower end of the sections 21 have corner gussets 26 connected thereto by a continuation of the bottom fold 7. The gussets 26 also connect with a bottom closure portion 29 by continuations of the side folds 23. The portion 729 constitutes a transverse part of the prop element 11 that extends along the fold 7 and its opposite edge may be defined by a transverse score 36 which allows a limited expansion of the coin compartment 8.

The back panel is principally formed by side flaps 31 and 32 that have overlapping ends 33 connected together by adhesive 34. The portions of the flaps 31 and 32 that overlie the wall sections 22 extend the full length of the sections 22 to provide tabs 36, but the portions intermediate the folded side walls are recessed so that the edges 37 thereof extend along t re score 30.

The brace element 12 has transverse scores 38 and 39 extending thereacross in parallel relation with the score 30 to define a sealing area 49 between the scores 3!) and 39 and to define the flap 14, respectively. The sealing area 40 is connected along the transverse lower margins of the edges 37 by atransverse adhesive stripe 41 (-FIG. 7). 'The seal is efiective substantially across the entire width of the back panel above the gussets 25. The gussets are also sealed to the tab portions 36 by adhesive 42 to cooperate With the adhesive 41 in completely closing the bottom of the coin compartment 8.

The prop element 11 is provided below the fold 6 with a transverse score 43 which defines between the fold 6 and score 43 a transverse sealing area 44 that is secured across the upper portion of the back panel by adhesive 45 to close the top of the coin compartment.

The bank thus described is formed from a single blank 46 that is illustrated in FIG. 8, and which comprises a generally rectangular body portion 47 that subsequently constitutes the front panel 2 of the bank, and projecting from the upper and lower portions thereof are extensitions or flap portions 48 and 49 that constitute the prop and brace elements 11 and 12 of the easel. Extending from the sides of the body portions are flaps 31 and 32 to form the back panel 3. The blank is also formed with the gussets 26 and the lower portions of the side flaps are shaped to provide the depending tabs 36.

During folding and gurnming of the blank, the folds 23, 24 and 25 are formed to bring the side flaps 31 and 32 in overlying relation with the body portion 47 of the blank with the side wall sections 21 and 22 folded therebetween, as shown in FIG. 7. The overlapped ends of the side flaps are connected together by the adhesive 34. The adhesive 41, 42 and 4.5 may be applied and the extension 49 forming the brace element (12 is folded to provide the bottom fold 7 and to bring the corner gussets 26 and the bottom closure portion 29 into sealing contact with the adhesive 41 and 42, in which position the extension 49 is in flat contact with the panel 3. The

extension 48 that constitutes the prop element li and the portion 44 that closes the top of the coin compartment is folded to constitute the fold 6 and to make contact with the adhesive 45, with the prop element 11 overlying the brace element 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

If the bank, folded as described, is to be sent through the mail, the gum 13 may be applied as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the prop element may be provided with the adhesive repellent area 19. In other instances the adhesive 13 is applied as a continuous stripe, in which case the repellent area 19 is omitted. The gum 13 is, of course, dry prior to folding of the flap 47, but the adhesive spot 17 would be applied after drying of the gum, so that only the adhesive 17 adheres to the restricted area 13. If the folded blank is to be sent through the mail, the face of the prop element may be provided with a mailing address and the postage mark is applied on the upper right hand corner portion thereof.

When the folded bank is to be erected, the easel is formed as shown in FIG. 6. The prop element 11 is first lifted from the brace element 12 to break the spot 17. The prop element is then bent along the score 43. The brace element is free to be lifted from the panel 3 to form folds along the scores 38 and 39, after which the gum 13 is moistened to secure the fiap 14 thereto, to complete the easel It as shown in FIG. 6.

It is obvious that when the bank is constructed as described, the folded side walls 4 and and the transverse seals of the portions 29 and 44 provide a rigid structure, but allow the panels to flex apart to expand the coin compartment and to facilitate insertion of coins through the coin slot 9.

It is also apparent that the coin compartment is completely closed and securely sealed to retain the coins inserted therein.

While I have particularly illustrated the invention as applied to a bank, it is obvious that the invention is adapted for other uses by altering the shape of the opening 9.

What -I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bank having a generally rectangular front panel having a coin slot therein, side walls having intermediate folds to provide sections overlying each other and one of the sections being connected with a corresponding side of the front panel by a fold, side flaps having connections respectively with the side edges of the other sections by folds to overlie the front panel and to lap each other, an adhesive connecting the lapping portions of the side flaps to secure said side flaps together and form thereof a back panel to cooperate with the front panel and said side walls for providing a coin compartment therebetween, a prop in integral connection with the top of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending over the top of the back panel and transversely of said lapping portions to close the top of the coin compartment, said prop also having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel, a brace in integral connection with the bottom of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending transversely of the lapping portions to close the bottom of the coin compartment, and adhesive connecting said transverse portions with the back panel, said brace having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel toward the angular portion of the prop, one of said angular portions having a transverse flap and the other having a gummed area for connecting said angular portions together to provide an easel for supporting the bank.

2. A bank having a generally rectangular front panel having a coin slot therein, side walls having intermediate folds to provide sections overlying each other and one of the sections being connected with a corresponding side of the front panel by a fold, side flaps having connections respectively with the side edges of the other sections by folds to overlie the front panel and to lap each other, and adhesive connecting the lapping portions of the side flaps to secure said side fiaps together and form thereof a back panel to cooperate with the front panel and said side walls for providing a coin compartment therebetween, corner gussets constituting extensions on lower ends of the wall sections which are connected with the sides of the front panel, tabs on lower portions of the side flaps, a prop connected with the top of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending over the top of the back panel, said prop also having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel, a brace connected to the bottom of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending across the back panel, said corner gussets being folded over the lower ends of the other wall sections and having seals with said tabs, and adhesive connecting said transverse portions with the back panel, said brace having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel toward the angular portion of the prop, one of said angular portions having a transverse flap and the other having a gummed area for connecting said angular portions together to provide an easel for supporting the bank.

3. A bank adapted to be sent through the mail and having a generally rectangular front panel provided with a coin slot, side walls having intermediate folds to provide sections overlying each other and one'of the sections being connected with a corresponding side of the front panel by a fold, side flaps having connection-s respectively with the side edges of the other sections by folds to overlie the front panel and to lap each other, an adhesive connecting the lapping portions of the side flaps to secure said side flaps together and form thereof a back panel to cooperate with the front panel and said side walls for providing a coin compartment therebetween, a prop connected with the top of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending over the top of the back panel, said prop also having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel, a brace connecting to the bottom of the front panel by a fold and having a transverse portion extending across the back panel, adhesive connecting said transverse portions with the back panel, said brace having a portion adapted to extend angularly from the back panel toward the angular portion of the prop, said portions of the brace and prop being normally lapping each other in fiat relation during mailing of the bank, and a quick opening seal connecting said lapping portions of the brace and prop together, one of said portions of the prop and brace having a transverse flap and the other having a gummed area for connecting said angular portions together to provide an easel for supporting the bank after the quick opening seal is broken.

4. A normally fiat envelope having generally rectangular front and back panels with the front panel having a coin slot therein, means connecting corresponding side edges of the front and back panels by folds to provide a coin pocket between the front and back walls, a prop connected with the upper edge of the front panel by a fold to overlap the corresponding upper edge of the back panel and having a transverse portion in face to face contact with the upper marginal portion of the back panel across the width thereof, adhesive between said contacting faces for sealing said transverse portion of said prop to the back panel for closing the top of the coin pocket, said prop having a fold extending transversely of the prop below said seal of the transverse portion to provide a hinged joint on which the prop swings outwardly away from the back panel to provide an angular portion, a brace having a transverse portion integrally connected with the bottom of the front panel by a fold to overlie the bottom portion of the back panel and having face to face contact with the marginal bottom portion of the back panel, and adhesive between said last named contacting faces to seal the transverse portion of the brace to the back panel for closing the bottom of the coin pocket, said brace having a fold extending transversely thereof to provide a hinged joint on which the brace swings outwardly away from the back panel to provide an angular portion, oneof said angular portions having a transverse flap and the other having a gumrned area for connecting the angular portions together, with the fold that closes the bottom of the pocket cooperating with said brace and prop members to provide an easel for supporting the envelope in a rearwardly inclined position.

5 A normally flat envelope having generally rectangular front and back panels with the front panel having a coin slot therein, expandable side walls connecting corresponding s'ide edges of the front and back panels by folds to provide an expandable coin pocket between the front and back walls, a prop connected with the upper edge of the front panel by a fold to overlap the corresponding upper edge of the back panel and having a transverse portion in face to face contact with the upper marginal portion of the back panel across the width thereof, adhesive between said contacting faces for sealing said transverse portion of said prop to the back panel for closing the top of the coin pocket, said prop having a fold extending transversely of the prop below said seal of the transverse portion to provide a hinged joint on which the prop swings outwardly away from the back panel to provide an angular portion, a brace having a transverse portion integrally connected with the bottom of the front panel by a fold to overlie the bottom portion of the back panel and having face to face contact with the marginal bottom portion of the back panel, and adhesive between said last named contacting faces to seal the transverse portion of the brace to the back panel for closing the bottom of the coin pocket, said brace having a fold extending transversely thereof to provide a hinged joint on which the brace swings outwardly away from the back panel to provide an anguler portion, one of said angular portions having a transverse flap and the other having a gummed area for connecting the angular portions together, with the fold that closes the bottom of the pocket cooperating with said brace and prop members to provide an easel for supporting the envelope in a rearwardly inclined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 466,032 Fleming Dec. 29, 1891 579,058 Glover Mar. 16, 1897 1,135,429 Bergstrom Apr. 13, 1915 1,753,954 Townley et a1. Apr. 8, 1930 

